When Fashion Mum of 40 asked in her recent blog post "what did you buy this summer" I immediately left a comment saying "not a lot". I felt that fashion funds had been limited with two holidays so far this year and I bought an awful lot in the January sales, 2 Anya Hindmarch handbags, a Givenchy tote, Jimmy Choo flats, and a load of stuff in the Baukjen clearance sale in March, so I think I could be forgiven for not going mad in the summer sales. I must add that a lot of the aforementioned sales purchases were made with birthday and christmas money just for those who think I had a small windfall or more than two numbers on the Thunderball (standard).
Spring purchases included a classic trench and white shirt from Gap. I also had a blue shirt obsession and picked one up in M&S which I still haven't worn.
A mid season M&S sale saw the purchase of a trilby, a couple of basic vests for holiday and some harem pants which were eventually returned.
So much for my "I don't really need a lot this spring/summer" as I fell hook, line and sinker for a Cos dress about April time which was eventually mine and served me well this season, having been worn on both my trips to Marbella, a 40th birthday party and two wedding receptions. The good news is the dress has been updated with long sleeves for winter if you fancy it.
My friends and I had the most dreadful weather on our early summer jaunt that a trip to Zara was called for. A cream textured sweatshirt was bought to keep out the chill (we won't talk about the rain and the only day of sunshine out of seven). I have no excuse for the Massimo Dutti top purchased on the same trip to Marbella Old Town, I just liked it. Well it was navy and white with a hint of a stripe (keeping the Breton addiction going but down to a minimum). Staying in the apartment and out of the rain not only kept us warm and dry but allowed for a little unplanned spending.
I came back from my May holiday obsessing over a pleated maxi and again managed to secure a gorgeous grey one from Cos which my eldest daughter wore before I did as she had a wedding to go to and loved it *Mug*.
Late June and as the My-Wardrobe sale was on it's final leg with 70% reductions, a pair of Moschino gold heeled sandals left in a size 6 were purchased. At just shy of £100, it would have been rude not to! I mean when do they ever have a 6 left when the final markdowns appear?
The Zara sale saw me buy my first "cheap" (non designer) handbag since the last king died. I even managed to leave the house and go to the town on a few occasions with the said bag in the crook of my arm. I did have to ask the Doctor for something to stop me shaking though.......
I also bought a folkey type top I thought would look good with chino shorts for about 12 quid at the same time.
July and our heatwave came and boy was I in a fluster! Having made a rule at the end of last summer that I was only going to buy summer dresses with short sleeves from now on, I found myself having a bit of a "mare" with the sales now on their last knockings and my need for lightweight sleeveless or strappy dresses in full swing. In desperation I turned to Tesco and Peacocks for day dresses and both have served me well for the last month or more and as day dresses on holiday. I also picked up a very bright orange one from H&M for £4!
The beginning of August and a trip to Bluewater to return my broken Russell and Bromley Laura sandals saw me picking up another couple of dresses to fill the lightweight and sleeveless criteria, this time from Gap. Again both have served me well the last few weeks and were also worn on holiday.
My final Spring/Summer 2013 purchase has been awarded to a late sale buy from Boden. Flat Rose Gold slingbacks which I managed to nab in my size before they sold out and should be with me any day now (hopefully). I have wanted a pair of pointy flats for a while now so feel I am justified.
What am I gutted I didn't buy this season?
1. The Karen Millen leopard print coat even when it went on sale. I felt it was very expensive for what it was, but in hindsight, with the money I spent on buying cheaper items, I should have got the thing I had loved for months.
2. A Baukjen navy blazer when I did my spring sales clearance haul.
3. The Zara pearl necklace I had seen on a few bloggers.
4. A neon jumper from M&S Limited Collection (couldn't get my size online or in any store).
and what have I learnt so far this summer:-
1. One great dress (the 1st one from Cos) will see you through lots of occasions if you chose a style that will work with dressy flat sandals (holiday) as well as heels (weddings and parties).
2. You can't go wrong with metallic shoes - go with everything!
3. I don't care about showing off my upper arms as much as I thought I did!
4. I bought much more than I originally thought!
5. If you buy a lot of items one year, you don't really need them the next year. Case in point: 3 pairs of flat sandals last year, 7 new dresses this year! This year I so did not need any new summer flat sandals although I am thinking next year might see the need for a black pair! I did want the Russell and Bromley in black as well as the pewter, but the fact that mine broke put me off a bit and also they had sold out instore anyway.
So how was Spring and Summer in your wardrobe? Was there anything you really wanted but failed to get? When you made a list, had you like me, bought much more than you thought you had?